Youth in government program stopped

The Costa Mesa City Council abruptly axed a first-time youth-in-government program late Tuesday, with little explanation other than that Mayor Allan Mansoor wanted more “input” on it.

The program was proposed in 2005 by Councilwoman Katrina Foley and developed by city staff. All 18 students who applied were accepted and the group held its first meeting in December, with the second meeting scheduled next week.

One student reached today said he’s disappointed that the council canceled the program because he thought it would have been good to put on college applications.

“I didn’t think they had a good reason for doing that. I just don’t think it’s right,” said 16-year-old Ryan Esfahani, a junior at Estancia High School.

Students would have learned about how government works and participated in a “youth council” to discuss topics they considered important to Costa Mesa.

The program had the blessing of the city parks and recreation commission and was approved by the council in the 2006-07 budget, but Mansoor and two other council members said they thought the council should have voted on it separately.

Mansoor insisted that he wanted to have input on the program, though he refused to elaborate on his concerns at Tuesday’s meeting.

The council voted, 3-2, not to continue the program for now with Foley and Councilwoman Linda Dixon dissenting. Dixon asked that it be brought back at a study session so the mayor and other council members can make suggestions and air concerns.